A survey by America’s largest travel agency chain, AAA, reveals that bookings for eastern Europe this summer are ‘skyrocketing’ in percentage terms.
AAA has more than 1,100 agencies in the States, generating just shy of $4bn-worth of sales. The stats refer to bookings in place on May 1 for travel taking place between June and August this summer.
Tour bookings to Europe in general are down by 2.4% compared with last summer, but travel to Eastern Europe is up by 55%. Croatia is 69% ahead; Slovenia 100%: Poland 10%, Hungary 76%. Romania is up ‘an incredible’ 700%.
‘Americans love Western Europe, and the UK, France and Italy continue to be top destinations,’ said Sandy Hughes, vice president of AAA Travel. ‘But places like Poland, Croatia and Hungary appeal to repeat visitors who have already cut their teeth on the classic icons of Western Europe. Travellers are looking for bragging rights as the first among their friends to visit places like Warsaw and Budapest.’
While eastern Europe booms, travel to the UK is down 1.9% with Ireland 10.4% behind. On the continent, Italy is 0.7% down and Germany is 43% down. France however, is ahead 40%. ‘Increased air services, positive media coverage of that part of the world and increased tourism promotion have also increased interest in Eastern Europe,’ the AAA said.
Report by Chitra Mogul
